Boston Bureau

Comedy Central's Colbert bedazzles undergrads

Stephen Colbert Rocks Harvard Students with Laughter
        Pompous politics pinpricked by comedian

            By Libby Hughes, Boston Bureau

Media stars like acclaimed journalist E.J. Dionne, Jr. and acerbic columnist Molly Ivins couldn’t draw the Harvard students to the Kennedy School of Government’s Forum. But comedian Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central, The Daily Report, and The Colbert Report had students willing to pay $100 for a ticket on the black market to see the poker-faced comedian. It was the most coveted event of the season. The bleachers were full. Students were hanging over the steel rails on the 3rd and 4th balconies. The ground floor was arranged arena style with two simple stools on stage. The place was abuzz with excitement. Even the press turned out in full.

It’s easier to laugh than cry
Why are young people in this country and Canada starved for this kind of political entertainment? Because those of us who are over 40 are either on the brink of tears or exploding in volcanic anger over war and politics. For those under 40, there is nowhere else to go, except to satire and laughter and LAUGH they did on Friday afternoon at the Forum. It didn’t matter what he said—whether it was funny or not—they laughed and he fed them more and more in his deadpan style. It was Rock Star Central with Stephen Colbert. Any hint of pomposity in the hallowed halls of Harvard was gone.

Colbert is an actor/comedian
Don’t forget, Colbert is not a politician or a journalist, he is an actor—a comedian who has found his niche, making young people laugh at the media and politicians. He plays the role of a buffoon media correspondent. Before Colbert made his entrance, the TV monitor screens showed Colbert stabbing his finger at the viewing audience. The kids were convulsed in laughter. Then it showed veteran White House journalist, Helen Thomas, following behind Colbert with her pad and pencil. Of course, it was hysterical. Then it showed Colbert singing in the voice of Barry Manilow and Manilow playing Colbert. Manilow won an Emmy, trouncing Colbert at the Emmys. The two paired up to exploit their rivalry.

When Colbert made his real entrance, there were hoots, cheers, applause. He entered like royalty or a politician—arms in the air, greeting everyone in the balconies and arena. We knew that he knew he was spoofing himself. The kids loved it. The bespectacled Colbert was in a dark suit, white shirt, blue-striped tie, and black shoes—his guest speaker or conservative costume! (joke)

Easier to make fun of the right wing
A Harvard senior, Chris Corcoran, had the brave task of interviewing the comedian. Corcoran asked how he distinguished between being a comedian and a newsman. “I am not a newsman. I’m a comedian. I’m using news as a set-up for jokes and sometimes I lie. It’s a style. Half an hour before my TV show, we do rewrites for the show. If one of my writers shoots down a joke, I’ll apologize the next night,” said Colbert. “I do a right wing character because the conservatives speak with a monolithic tongue. The Liberals aren’t unified like the right. The right wing is consistent in their behavior—megalomania, maniacal, and monolithic. It’s easier to do."

Congressmen want to be on the show
Then Corcoran asked if he had a strategy when Congressmen come on the show. “They know I am an idiot, ignorant, and playing a character. I tell them to be real and passionate and hold to their ideals. Half of the time it happens.” What would his wish list be for guests? Immediately, Colbert said. “Pelosi.” We tried to get DeLay, but he refused, so we assembled some clips.” His most challenging guest was Barney Frank. “It was crazy and I thought he showed dry wit, but afterwards, I heard he was hurt.”

There were 23 questions from the students. When asked how the Kennedy School would like to honor their famous grad. He stepped offstage and brought in a portrait of Bill O’Reilly. The kids laughed and applauded. Here are some of the questions from the students.

Q. What impact does his show have on the country?
A. I have no idea. My intent is not to influence anyone in voting.. I just want to stay funny. I’m a screwball. That’s my value. I live in a bubble. I do the show and go home.

Q. Do you have any influence on the media?
A. To shame them into shouting less. With television news, we are on a 24-hour cycle. Once a story is broken, its analysis is strung out endlessly. You can argue every which way and argue that the sun rises in the west. Opinions cause arguments. It’s not clear. APPLAUSE.

Q. Do you have any personal political views you'd like to share?
A. NO.
However, this reporter googled him and he is a self-declared Democrat, which he tries to hide.

Q. What is the purpose of your comedy?
A. To deal with the status quo and challenge it. My show is about discovery—it’s organic.

Q. Who do you think will win the 2008 election?
A. I hope nobody wins. I’d go for a third term. LAUGHTER.

Q. What celebrity guest would you like to have on your show?
A. J.D. Salinger. It’s time for him to face the music and come out of his New Hampshire cabin. I’d like to shame him into coming.

Two grad students that this writer interviewed beforehand were self-confessed Colbert-philes. They found him unbiased in a biased media, witty, and shed light on issues. They felt The New York TImes was as close to being unbiased so far as that is possible.

To wind down the event, Colbert did an improvisation of what one of his writers gave him on the spur of the moment. It wasn’t great, but they roared with laughter anyway. His last words as he exited were,“ Stand by our president.”

That was Stephen Colbert, leaving to a standing, thumping ovation. Was it worth $100—whoever paid it? YES.